Short runner valve plate and shaft biasing lubrication

Abstract

A one piece slide in place “butterfly” valve plate for a short runner manifold of a vehicle. A method of reducing friction in an anti-chatter device.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A valve plate for securement to a shaft of an intake member of an engine comprising: 
       a polymer body adapted for insertion into a slot in said shaft;  
       said polymer body including a plurality of deflectable locking tabs which are deflectable into a planar surface of said molded plastic body, said tabs being insertable through said slot in a first direction;  
       said polymer body including a stopping tab for interfering with travel through said slot, wherein said first tab resists withdrawal from said slot in a second direction, thereby securing said body in said slot between said first tab and said tab stop.  
     
     
       2. The valve plate of  claim 1  wherein at least one said plurality of tabs extends from a top surface and at least one of said plurality of tabs extends from a bottom surface of said plate. 
     
     
       3. The valve plate of  claim 1  further comprising a spring arm extending from said valve plate for engaging said shaft upon insertion of said valve plate into said slot. 
     
     
       4. The valve plate of  claim 3  wherein said spring arms are injection molded as a single piece unit with said valve plate. 
     
     
       5. The valve plate of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of spring arms. 
     
     
       6. The valve plate of  claim 1  wherein said valve plate is a one-piece injection molded member. 
     
     
       7. The valve plate of  claim 6  wherein a carbon fiber loaded polythalamide or polyamide material is used for injection molding of said valve plate member. 
     
     
       8. The valve plate of  claim 7  wherein the polythalamide or polyamide is 25% to 40% carbon fiber loaded. 
     
     
       9. A one piece short runner valve plate for securement to a short runner shaft, said short runner shaft including a slot therein having a narrow section and a widened section for forming a shelf therein, said valve plate comprising: 
       a molded polymer body adapted for insertion through the slot in said shaft;  
       at least one deflectable locking tab for deflecting during insertion of said valve plate into said slot and expanding upon reaching the widened section of said slot and abutting said shelf for preventing removal of said valve plate;  
       a stopping tab for engaging said shaft and stopping movement of said plate in the direction of insertion of said valve plate; and  
       a spring arm including a resilient arm, a shaft engagement portion and a ramp portion wherein as said valve plate is inserted into said slot, said ramp portion deflects the arm around an outside portion of said shaft, and said shaft engaging portion engaging an outside portion of the shaft upon full insertion into said slot.  
     
     
       10. A valve plate for securement to a shaft of an intake member of an engine comprising: 
       a polymer body adapted for insertion into a slot in said shaft;  
       said polymer body including at least one locking first tab which is insertable through said slot in a first direction;  
       said polymer body including a stopping tab for interfering with travel through said slot, wherein said first tab resists withdrawal from said slot in a second direction, thereby securing said body in said slot between said first tab and said tab stop;  
       said polymer body being a one-piece injection molded member.  
     
     
       11. The short runner valve plate of  claim 10  wherein said first tab is a deflectable tab member deflectable into a planar surface of said molded plastic body. 
     
     
       12. The valve plate of  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of deflectable locking tabs. 
     
     
       13. The valve plate of  claim 12  wherein at least one said plurality of tabs extends from a top surface and at least one of said plurality of tabs extends from a bottom surface of said plate. 
     
     
       14. The valve plate of  claim 10  further comprising a spring arm extending from said valve plate for engaging said shaft upon insertion of said valve plate into said slot. 
     
     
       15. The valve plate of  claim 14  wherein said spring arms are injection molded as a single piece unit with said valve plate. 
     
     
       16. The valve plate of  claim 10  further comprising a pair of spring arms. 
     
     
       17. The valve plate of  claim 10  wherein a carbon fiber loaded polythalamide or polyamide material is used for injection molding of said valve plate member. 
     
     
       18. The valve plate of  claim 17  wherein the polythalamide or polyamide is 25% to 40% carbon fiber loaded. 
     
     
       19. A valve plate for securement to a shaft of an intake member of an engine comprising: 
       a polymer body adapted for insertion into a slot in said shaft;  
       said polymer body including at least one locking first tab which is insertable through said slot in a first direction;  
       said polymer body including a stopping tab for interfering with travel through said slot, wherein said first tab resists withdrawal from said slot in a second direction, thereby securing said body in said slot between said first tab and said tab stop;  
       a spring arm extending from said valve plate for engaging said shaft upon insertion of said valve plate into said slot.  
     
     
       20. The short runner valve plate of  claim 19  wherein said first tab is a deflectable tab member deflectable into a planar surface of said molded plastic body. 
     
     
       21. The valve plate of  claim 20  further comprising a plurality of deflectable locking tabs. 
     
     
       22. The valve plate of  claim 21  wherein at least one said plurality of tabs extends from a top surface and at least one of said plurality of tabs extends from a bottom surface of said plate. 
     
     
       23. The valve plate of  claim 19  further comprising a pair of spring arms. 
     
     
       24. The valve plate of  claim 19  wherein said spring arms are injection molded as a single piece unit with said valve plate. 
     
     
       25. The valve plate of  claim 19  wherein said valve plate is a one-piece injection molded member. 
     
     
       26. The valve plate of  claim 25  wherein a carbon fiber loaded polythalamide or polyamide material is used for injection molding of said valve plate member. 
     
     
       27. The valve plate of  claim 26  wherein the polythalamide or polyamide is 25% to 40% carbon fiber loaded.